Chapter 9
9
WILLOW
When Dallas said his brother was coming to help us, I never in a million years expected the man standing in front of me. While I see the resemblance, I would have never guessed they are brothers. Dallas and Drake stand outside for what feels like forever when Dallas finally leads him into the house.
“Willow,” Drake speaks as he takes a seat on the couch. “I’m sorry we’re meeting this way, though I doubt Dallas would have actually introduced you to me otherwise.” He smirks, cutting his gaze to Dallas, who sits uncomfortably beside me on the other sofa.
“I’m sorry to hear that, but surely if our relationship had started normal, you’d have met me sooner.”
“We don’t have that kind of relationship.”
“‘Cuse me.” Juniper pushes around me and steps in front of Drake. “Hi, I’s Juniper.”
“Hello there, little one.” Drake’s hardened expression softens, and I can’t help but stifle a gasp. The man was gorgeous before, but seeing him almost human is breathtaking.
Juniper seems to approve and returns to her spot on the floor.
Dallas growls, making me turn his way with an arched brow.
“Calm down, Dallas.”
Drake chuckles. "I've been digging into her background, and it turns out she was involved with some pretty bad men. Men who wouldn't hesitate to hurt her—or anyone close to her—if they felt betrayed."
"What exactly are we dealing with here, Drake?"
Drake leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "Willow's sister, Ivy, got tangled up with a man involved with a criminal organization. From what I’ve gathered, she had no idea who he was—not at first, anyway. It's not just a matter of bad company… from what my guys were able to dig up, she was likely there during some of their private meetings."
I feel a chill run down my spine. "Meetings? What kind of meetings?"
"Drug trafficking, money laundering, you name it. These guys are dangerous, Willow. And they think she took something from them… something you have."
Dallas looks at me, his eyes filled with concern. "Willow, you need to tell us everything. Why did you pick up your life and run?"
I bite my lip, hesitating for a moment.
“I was threatened back in Reno. My boyfriend at the time, who is also the lead investigator, thought it was a good idea if I left town. He called a friend who works for your uncle.” I give Dallas a sad smile. “Since then, I've received several text messages demanding that I give them what belongs to them. I assumed they meant Juniper."
Drake shakes his head. "It's possible, but there's another angle we need to consider. What if Ivy took something valuable from them? Something they desperately want back?"
The realization hits me like a punch to the gut. "You mean they might be after more than just Juniper? They might want something Ivy stole from them?"
Drake nods. "Exactly. And until we figure out what that is…"
Juniper looks up from her dolls and smiles at me. "Auntie Wiwwow, can I has juice?"
Her innocent request momentarily lightens the heavy atmosphere. I manage a small smile.
“Of course, sweetheart.” I move to stand, but Dallas stops me.
“I’ll get it.” Dallas stands and heads to the kitchen.
I turn back to Drake. "So, what do we do now?"
Drake runs a hand through his hair. "First, we need to make sure you're all safe. I have some contacts who can help with that. Second, we need to figure out what Ivy may have taken and why these men are so desperate to get it back. We have to keep in mind that she might not even realize she took it."
Dallas returns with a juice box for Juniper and hands it to her. "Here you go, kiddo." He ruffles her hair lovingly before sitting down next to me.
"Willow, do you have any idea what Ivy might have taken? Is there something she brought home that sticks out in your memory?"
I shake my head.
Drake pulls out his phone and starts making calls, coordinating with his contacts. “Alright, I’m going to have one of my guys shadow you until we figure some things out.”
“How am I supposed to pay you?” I clench my hands together. “I’m barely getting by now. Moving here wiped out my savings, and closing my business down set me back considerably.” I glance at Dallas. “Don’t get me wrong… you pay me well, but I doubt I can afford private security.”
Drake laughs and claps Dallas on the shoulder. “She doesn’t know?”
“No.” He closes his eyes and sighs. “Willow, you don’t need to worry about the cost. I’ll be paying for it.”
“What?” I gasp. “No… you can’t do that, Dallas. I mean… I get you own the club and probably have enough money, but this is a lot to take on. We’re not even?—”
“Not even what?” he cuts my words off.
“Well…” Drake clears his throat. “I’ll let you two work this out, but, Dallas, I’m not charging you. We’re family, after all. It’s time we figure out how to accept that and move forward.” He pulls open the door. “I’ll call you when I get someone out here.”
The door snicks shut, but my eyes are firmly locked on Dallas.
“Care to explain what that means? What don’t I know?”
“Let’s go sit down. I’m getting kind of hungry, and I bet it's close to nap time for Little Bit.” He walks past me toward the kitchen.
“Dallas… don’t ignore me. What don’t I know?”
Dallas sighs. “Drake and I share the same father, but we didn’t know about each other for most of our lives. Our father, he was a… complicated man. He had two families, and he kept them completely separate. Neither family knew about the other.”
I can see the pain in his eyes as he speaks, and I reach out, placing my hand over his. “That must have been incredibly difficult to find out.”
“The fucked-up part is it was my brother, Ryker’s wife, who told us about it—but that’s a story for another day. Our father was a master manipulator. He lied to both families, weaving a web of deceit. My mother remarried after he… died. My stepfather adopted Ryker, Griffyn, and me, and we grew up believing that our dad died in a car accident. My mother never told us the truth.”
“What really happened?” I ask gently, sensing that there’s more to the story.
Dallas takes a deep breath, as if steeling himself for what he’s about to reveal.
“Our father wasn’t just living a double life. He was involved in some very dangerous activities. One day, Drake’s mother—who was actually our father’s other wife—and he got into an argument. From what I know, he was not kind to her. Anyway, things escalated. In a fit of rage, Drake’s father killed their mother in front of him. And as if that isn’t enough family drama, we found out that Gage Winston isn’t my half-brother. He’s my brother. Again, it’s too long of a story to get into, but Gage and Griffyn are twins. They were separated at birth. So, when you think your life is messed up… know I’m a walking Dr. Phil show.”
I gasp, covering my mouth with my hand. “Oh my God, Dallas.”
“Until now, I didn’t want what being a Winston meant. When everything came to light, part of his money became ours.”
My eyes widen in shock. “So, you…”
“Yeah.” Dallas nods, a bitter smile playing on his lips. “We’re billionaires. Not because of the club but because of who our father was and the empire he built in the shadows. It’s ironic, really. All that deceit and betrayal, and we ended up inheriting his fortune.”
“Something you don’t want.”
“That was true until you,” he admits. “The money doesn’t change what happened. It doesn’t erase the pain or the betrayal. But it means that we have resources—resources we can use to protect you and Juniper. Money is no object, Willow. Whatever I need to do to keep you safe, I’ll do it. Even if it means accepting the money that bastard left me.” He looks at me, his expression sincere. “You’re mine now, Willow. And that means I’m going to do whatever I need to keep you and Juniper safe. No matter the cost.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
He laces his fingers through my hair and tilts my head so he can stare into my eyes.
“Say you’ll be mine.”
His hands cup my face with a gentleness that contrasts with the intensity of his kiss. Every touch sends electric currents through my body, and I respond instinctively, my hands tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. The world fades, and there is only the two of us, locked in this moment of raw, unfiltered emotion.
When he finally pulls back, we’re both breathless. His forehead rests against mine, our breaths mingling in the small space between us. His eyes, dark and intense, bore into mine, searching for something. He wipes the tear away with his thumb, his touch tender.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to realize what I wanted. I was scared. Scared of what this means, of what it could do to give up my control.”
I nod, understanding the fear all too well. “It’s been a whirlwind, Dallas, but right now, this feels right. You feel right.”
His eyes soften, and he leans in for another kiss, this one slow and tender. As our lips part, he rests his forehead against mine again.
“We’re going to get through this, Willow,” he whispers. “Together. We should check on Juniper,” he says softly, breaking the comfortable silence.
I nod, reluctantly pulling away from him. “You’re right.”
We find Juniper still sound asleep on the floor, her small body curled up, clutching her doll. Dallas gently scoops her up, cradling her against his chest as we make our way to her bedroom. I follow, watching the tenderness in his movements, the way he looks at her with such care.
Once Juniper is tucked in, we stand in the doorway for a moment, watching her sleep. Dallas wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.
“She’s lucky to have you,” he murmurs.
I smile, leaning into him. “Come on… I can think of a way to spend her nap time that doesn’t involve sleep.”
Dallas raises an eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
I take his hand, leading him to my room. He follows me, his eyes darkening with desire. As soon as we clear the door, he pulls me into his arms, kissing me deeply as his foot shoves the door shut. The intensity of his kiss sends a thrill through me, and I respond eagerly, my body pressing against his.
Dallas’s hands roam my body, and I can feel the heat building between us. My fingers fumble with the buttons of his shirt, desperate to feel his skin against mine. He pulls back just enough to look into my eyes, his breathing ragged.
“God, you’re beautiful.”
With a growl of satisfaction, he lifts me off my feet and carries me to the bed. We collapse onto the mattress, our hands and mouths exploring each other with a hunger that can’t be denied. As we lose ourselves in each other, the problems waiting for us fade away. There is only Dallas and me, two souls giving into the burning connection between us. It’s a feeling unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and I know in my heart that this is where I’m supposed to be.
“You’re amazing, Willow,” Dallas whispers. Holding me close, his fingers gently stroking my hair. “I’m falling in love with you.” He presses his lips to mine, his tongue claiming ownership with each dip into my mouth. With his forehead pressed against mine, he whispers his promise. “We’re going to be okay, Willow,” he murmurs. “No matter what happens, we’ll get through it together.”